Electrical steam generation



T. H. NOLL ELECTRICAL STEAM GENERATION mm Ll923 Patented May 26, 1925;

'IHFQBALD H, NQLL, OF NEW YORK N. Y.

ELECTRICAL STEAM GENERATION.

Application filed August 81, 1928'. Serial 1T0. 680,287.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEOBALD H. NOLL,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Bronx,county of Bronx, city and State of New York, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Electrical Steam Generation, of which thefollowing is a specification, sufficient to en able others skilled inthe art to which the invention appertains to utilize the same.

My improvements relate to both method and apparatus employed in thegeneration of steam b means of an electrical current of an suitablecharacter; and while the essential features of my invention areadaptable for use in the generation of steam generally for various otherpurposes, my object primarily is to afford a simple and inexpensivelnstallation of the character designated, whereby low pressure steam maybe effectually and economically produced for the heating of buildings,apartments, and analogous purposes, as well as for domestic use, myinvention consisting in the specific combination and arrangement ofapparatus and a purtenanoes described and claimed, all as llereinafterfully set forth.

The accompanying drawing illustrates s mbolically and diagrammatically apractical embodiment of the essential features of m invention, althoughI do not limit myse f to the identical form, construction or arrangementof parts and apparatus shown by way of exem lification thereof, sincechanges in minor etails and mechanical expedients may be resorted towith like results and without departing from the spirit and intent of myinvention in this respect.

With this understanding B, represents a boiler shell of any suitableshape, connected with a water supply tank T, by means of pi ing a, a, inwhich is interposed a control va ve a. t, is an inlet pipe for thesupply of impregnated water to the tank T, and t, a shut off valveinterposed in said inlet pipe t. t, is a pressure gauge communicatingwith the upper part of said supply tank T, and P, an,a1r pressure pumpalso communieating with t e upper art of said tank through the medium oft e pipe p, in which is interposed a valve p which may be of check orother type.

An auxiliary water supply pipe a, provided with a valve a, is connectedwith the pipe a, which affords communication between the tank T, and theboiler B; and a draw-off or drain pipe c provided with a valve a", isalso connected with the lower member of the piping a.

The upper portion of the boiler B, is provided with a steam outlet pipeI), having a control valve 6', with a safety valve 1), and with apressure gauge b Connected with the lower part of the boiler B, belowthe minimum water level therein, is a pipe I), and valve 6, controllingcommunication with a hydrometric device It, by means of wh1ch thespecific gravity of the liquid in the boiler B, may be ascertained whendesirable.

E, E, represent spaced apartelectrodes of any sultable characterpositioned in the boiler B, to contact with the liquid therein, andconstituting the heating elements, e, 6, being the electrical conductorsconnected with any suitable extraneous source of electriclty. S, is anautomatic switch device interposed between the circuit 6, e, andcontrolled by the internal pressure of the boller B. The switch deviceS, shown in the drawing by way of exemplification consists of a cylinder8, communicating with the interior of. the boiler B, and provided with apiston s, and rod 8 the outer end of which latter is pivotally connectedwith a plvotally supported circuit closer 8 a aussurn spring 8, whichtends constantly to close the circuit, being interposed between saidpiston s, and the outer end of the cylinder 8.-

The normal liquid level in the boiler B, 'is controlled by a float valvef, which automatically regulates the admission of impregnated water fromthe supply pipe (1.

In practice the supply tank or reservoir T, is charged, through theinlet pipe t, and

valve t, with a suitable quantity of water impregnated with a solventadapted to increase its electric conductivity, sodium chloride beingpreferably used for the purpose, although I do not limit myself in thiscreased by the injection of air above the liquid level through the pipep, and valve p, by means of the pump or equivalent air forcing device.The valves p, a, a,'and b, bein now closed, the valve a, is opened,admitting the impregnated water from the tank T, to the boiler B, theliquid level therein being controlled by the float,valve f, on the endof the pipe a, within the boiler, and said level being maintained at aheight sufficient to effect the immersion of the lower portions of theelectrodes E, E.

The electric current e, 6", being now closed by means of the switch S,steam is generated in due course, andis drawn ofi through the servicepipe b, and valve 1), any considerable excess of pressure within theboiler beyond a prescribed degree being automatically relieved throughthe medium of the safety valve b But provision is also made forautomatically opening the electric circuit if the internal pressure ofthe boiler exceeds a normal degree, as by means of the piston a, whichcontrols the electric switch S. When the internal pressure relaxes, thespring 8*, closes the switch S. The tank T, is essential as a means ofequalizing steam pressure generated in boiler B, the air pressure insaid tank T, keeping the requisite level of water therein andmaintaining normal conditions in the boiler B, through the medium of thefloat f. The valve a, is closed when the valve a, is open and viceversa.

The generation of steam will, of course, gradually concentrate thesolvent with which the water is impregnated, and the resultant degree ofdensity or specific gravity of liquid may be ascertained, when desired,by opening the valve b, slightly, suflicient only to admit a suitablequantity of the solution to the hydrometric device h. When the latterindicates the necessity therefor a sufficient quantity of fresh purewater may be admitted to the boiler B, to neutralize the excess ofimpregnation, by opening the valve a temporarily.

The simplicity of construction and arrangement of parts of my apparatusrender it especially adaptable for installation for steam heating, etc.,in buildings or apartments of moderate size; and its manipula tion andoperation does not require the employment of skilled labor for eitherpurpose.

What I claim as my invention and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In electrical steam heating apparatus of the character designated,the combination of a liquid reservoir tank, means for injecting airunder pressure thereinto, a boiler connected with said reservoir tank bymeans which admit of the transfer of liquld from the manner and for thepurpose set forth.

2. In electrical steam heating apparatus of the character designated,the combination of a liquid reservoir tank, means for injecting airunder pressure thereinto, a boiler connected with said reservoir tank bymeans which admit of the transfer of liquid from said tank to saidboiler, electrodes positioned in said boiler and connected with anelectric circuit and an exit service steam conduit connected with saidboiler, together with a switch interposed in said electric circuit andcontrolled by means actuated by the steam pressure in said boiler,substantially in .the manner and for the purpose designated.

3. In electrical steam heating apparatus of the character designated,the combination of a liquid reservoir tank, means for injecting airunder pressure thereinto, a boiler connected with said reservoir tank bymeans which admit of the transfer of liquid from said tank to saidboiler, electrodes positioned in said boiler and connected with anelectric circuit and an exit service steam conduit connected with saidboiler, together with a float valve in said boiler arranged to controlthe admission of liquid thereto, substantially in the manner and for thepurpose set forth.

4. In electrical steam heating apparatus of the character designated,the combination of a liquid reservoir tank, means for injecting airunder pressure thereinto, a boiler connected with said reservoirtank bymeans which admit of the transfer of liquid from said tank to saidboiler, electrodes positioned in said boiler and connected with anelectric circuit and an exit service steam conduit connected with saidboiler, together with an hydrostatic test device connected with saidboiler, substantially in the manner'and for the purpose set forth.

. 5. In electrical steam heating apparatus of the character designated,the combination of a liquid reservoir tank, means for injecting airunder pressure thereinto, a boiler connected with said reservoir tank bymeans which admit of the transfer of liquid from said tank to saidboiler, electrodes positioned in said boiler and connected with anelectric circuit and an exit service steam conduit connected with saidboiler, together with means independent of the reservoir tank foradmitting water to said boiler, substantially in the manner and for theurpose desi ated.

T OBALD NOLL. Witnesses:

Gno. WM. Mm'rr, M. Srmmaxaem

